The Royal Canadian Mint has designed a coin inspired by a stain glass portion of the McClausland dome located inside the castle.

On Tuesday, the Mint unveiled its newest collector’s coin — covered in translucent and opaque enamel — as part of a three-coin series honouring Canadian landmarks.

“Casa Loma was built to celebrate the highest forms of architectural craftsmanship and decorative art, and few examples shine brighter than the McCausland dome,” federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver said.

Casa Loma had been a fledgling landmark in Toronto until earlier this year when Liberty Group took it over.

“It’s quite something that Casa Loma is going through right now as they try to renovate and bring it back to life and hopefully the coin will help with that,” Marc Brule, interim president for the … Read the rest

The silver piece is a tribute to the McCausland dome that covers the conservatory of the landmark Toronto castle.

Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver, who unveiled the commemorative coin, called it a fitting tribute to Casa Loma, which he described as a “Gothic Revival jewel,” celebrating the “highest form of architectural craftsmanship.”

“Just like it took countless panes of glass to meticulously create the McCausland dome, the mint is gradually putting together a rich and panoramic picture of Canada with every new coin it produces,” Oliver said.

The “striking” new coin, he said, will serve as a tribute to one of Canada’s … Read the rest

More than 110 couples can now claim they had a wedding worthy of a celebrity–complete with a red-carpet entrance, media coverage, a prestigious guest list and a landmark castle in the backdrop.

But that wasn’t what made the mass Grand Pride wedding a signature event of the World Pride celebrations, at Casa Loma on Thursday special.

For many, who flew to Toronto from countries like Australia, Taiwan and Ghana, where same-sex marriage is illegal, it was a dream come true to finally be able to openly celebrate their love and tie the knot with the full support of the community at the largest LGBTQ Pride wedding ever in North America.

For Nora, 64, and Erna, 66, it marked a significant milestone in their 40-year-old love story.

The pair met at a bus stop by their university in the Philippines. They were “secret lovers,” who were eventually forced apart … Read the rest

Happy couples take part in a Grand Pride Wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto on Thursday June 26, 2014. A total of 110 couples were married in the group ceremony, the largest group ceremony of its kind. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency)

The Grand Pride Wedding saw 110 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) couples from around the world tie the knot at a monumental and historical event that celebrated both love and the ongoing WorldPride event in Toronto.

“This is really an honour to be part of history like this and to be part of this event,” said Inae Lee who married her partner of two years, Jen Chang Ho. “This is super amazing that they are having this for us and everyone has been so welcoming.”

Whether you love or hate weddings, it’s hard to deny the complete and absolute thrill of watching two people in love join their lives together. And when a couple is doing it despite despite so much adversity, it’s all the more poignant.

At Toronto’s Grand Pride Wedding held today at Casa Loma, 110 couples said “I do” to each other in what was likely a historic event. As announced in May, the wedding included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, New Thought, and Humanist officiants in order to serve everyone present with the opportunity to be wed.

Over 100 gay couples participate in a mass wedding during WorldPride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, Ont., on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)

Diana Mehta, The Canadian Press

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

TORONTO — Inae Lee knows she won’t have the support of her South Korean parents as she weds her partner in Toronto today, but she’s hoping the 109 other couples tying the knot beside her will make up for her family’s rejection of her relationship.

Lee will be just one of the participants in a mass wedding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited couples, which is considered the first of its kind in Canada.

The Grand Pride Wedding will involve couples from across Canada as well as participants from countries where same sex marriage is illegal.

For Lee, the event is historically significant.

“In my parents’ mind they don’t believe that this can be … Read the rest

Trelawny Howell celebrated her birthday in high style on Feb. 8, celebrating High Tea with 100-plus guests at Casa Loma.

Like the French maids and butlers serving tea and hors d’oeuvres in the dining room and conservatory, the great-grandniece of Casa Loma builder Henry Pellatt dressed for the occasion, wearing a vintage white satin dress with lace sleeves, accessorized by an egg-size red brooch.

Dessert was served from a three-and-a-half metre tea cake stand in the great hall, and guests were treated to organ music as they mingled.

“I said they needed to add this nine years ago,” Howell remarked, between sips of tea. “I’m delighted Liberty is doing it, and I think they’ll do a first-class job.”